JPS57145044A - Method for coating optical fiber with metal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To deposite a metal film having uniform thickness to the outer circumference of an optical fiber, by depositing metal to an optical fiber used as the core in a vacuum chamber for the high-frequency ion plating while rotating the high-frequency coil and the crucible.

CONSTITUTION: The formed optical fiber 1 is metallized in the course of passing vertically through the vacuum chamber 2. The atmosphere in the vacuum chamber is Ar, having a pressure of 10^-4W10^-5 Torr. The high-frequency coils 4a, 4b connected with the high-frequency electrical sources 6a, 6b cross with the optical fiber 1 at a cross angle of θ, and are placed, together with the crucibles 5a, 5b connected with the heating electrical sources 7a, 7b for melting and evaporating the metal 8a, 8b such as Al, on a rotary table 3 which can be rotated clockwise or anticlockwise. The metals 8a and 8b are evaporated and deposited to the outer surface of the optical fiber 1. During the metallizing process, the rotary table 3 is rotated with a power transmission means (not shown) clockwise or anticlockwise at an angle of 360°, ≤360°, or ≥360°.

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